King Charles: Harry and Meghan remain ‘private citizens’, not working members of the royals despite UK return

LONDON, Sept 8 — King Charles III clarified on Monday that his son Harry and his wife Meghan are not considered "working members of the royal family" after they returned to Britain from the United States. The couple left Britain and abandoned their royal duties in 2020 due to a family dispute. However, last month, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, moved back to the UK with their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5.

In a letter, Charles explicitly stated that the couple's status is "akin to private citizens" and should not be addressed as "His and Her Royal Highness." So-called "working royals" are members of the royal family who perform official duties on behalf of the monarch and receive administrative and other support from the Royal Household.

Following the couple's return, a letter from the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household, addressed concerns and uncertainties about the Sussexes' position. The letter emphasized the distinct difference between the couple's personal and charitable work, which they undertake in their private capacity, and the official duties carried out by the "working royal family."

Security concerns remained a topic of discussion, with Britain's Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) overseeing which royals and others receive police protection. After the Sussexes' move in 2020, Harry battled the ministry in court to regain his security, but lost the case. With their return, Ravec's risk management board is likely to reassess the level of threat Harry faces.